The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-09-08
TWO WILD MEN
Found on Hermit Island, Chatta.
hooohee River.
Theories as to Their Presence There
Their Mode of Living and tho Manner
of Their Capture.

ATLANTA, GA, Sept 4Tho Columbus
khqHircr- Sun Of to-day prints In its news
columns o remarkable story Of the dis.
covcry on Hermit Island, In the Chatta-
hootcho river, two strange human beings
who are believed 10 have been fugitive
slaves, Mr. y. e.. Moutrie and the writer,
says the EaYairci. SHr, took guns and went
down Ia some woods opposite the island
squirrel shooting After q brief rest
wo set out TO explore the islend
All around the island near the
shore was a rocky clir, with here
aud there rough cedar clinging
In the creyices Of the rocks, from whose
branches hung the long white river moss
In tho Interior the surface sank into a low,
Hat land, covered with tall white oaks and
occasional patches Of low shrubbery. In
these trees we found our game. One shot
from my companion's gun brought u
squirrel TO the ground, Immediately fol
lowed BY two black, naked objects bear
Ing tho outward semblanco OF human
beings, they ran, bent low, at almost
lightning speed mud disappeared over
the little mound some three hundred
yards away. In an hour we had boon
TO camp, collected our little band OF half
dozon, with guns and dogs we captured
the half starved naked snyagos. They re-
treated 10 their den undor u pro.ruding
rock, and when surrounded by men and
dogs surrendered, with no resistance.
They fell upon their faces and whined
pitconsly, as II 10 beg for mercy but ut
tcnng no word that was intclligiblc. In.
deed, no word from them has yet
bccu understood except tue word dog
which tLoy pronounce wiu, distinct
ness Their fear OF the dog almost ap-
proachcs madness They converse TO.
gcther ~ inonosyllables OF nm unknown
tongue Their den was under ledge OF
rock and was sheltered from wind and
rain. No indication Of lire WAS seen In or
about the place. The only sign OF habita.
ton was pile OF straw, leaves and moss
In the dcn aud bones Of varmints scattered
about II Is supposed that the meat was
eaten raw The men were perfectly nude,
except thin coat Of hair, whlch nature
has furnished since their Punishment.
They stand and walk half bent, as IL creep.
ing TO their prey. The larger one Of them
Is tall and muscular. He seems about
forty i've or fifty years old. The other is
small, thin and bony, and has doubtless
reached bis three scorc aud ten, The nails
and teeth of both nave grown long aud
hooked, SO that they iud no difiiculty In
tearing tho flesh from carcasg With
their long aud brawuy arms they can
huri stone with as much accuracy as the
riiieman shoots his ril There is but one
theory rs TO why this barpnrsm exists on
Hermit Island, aud that is that the negroes,
during the timo Of slavery, sought this
as place OF refuge from their masters.
That they novci loft the Island since their
first advent is almost certain. since thcy
would In such case have provided them
selves with fire and means TO obtain food.
But how did they get there is
question Unanswered Certainly not as
we did, for the falls reccding and has
been IN contact with The tunnel only a few
years, while these negroes have been on
the islnnd not less than twenty two years.
No effort was over made by white men TO
reach the place. On account OF It's rocky
aud barren appearance 1t was not sup
posed to be tillable.